Paper towel holder

ABSTRACT

A paper towel holder apparatus includes a base, a first guide piece disposed on the base, and a second guide piece disposed radially inward from the first guide piece on the base. The first and second guide pieces extend substantially perpendicularly from the surface of the base. With this configuration, a paper towel sheet from a paper towel roll is receivable between the first and second guide pieces. The spacing of the inner and outer guide pieces on the top surface of the base allows for the ready position for the next paper towel to be more consistently achieved.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper towel holder, and more specifically to a paper towel holder with two piece guide and holding design.

[0002] Paper towel holders are generally known. Most paper towel holders consist of a support to hold the paper towel roll to allow for the removal of paper towels by tearing a paper towel from the roll.

[0003] Consumers have revealed that a common problem with conventional paper towel holders is the inability to hold the roll with the next paper towel in a “ready” position, while still providing a tear point for the paper towels on the paper towel roll. By “ready” position, it is meant that the next paper towel is held or placed in a consistent position, out and away from the remainder of the paper towel roll.

[0004] Other conventional designs utilize a single bar that provides a tear point for paper towels. However, these conventional single bar designs do not provide a solution for keeping the next paper towel in the ready position. Spring loaded bars, which create friction and press against the next paper towel are also known. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,771,966; 5,763,984; and 6,302,348.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a paper towel holder apparatus includes a base, a first guide piece disposed on the base, and a second guide piece disposed radially inward from the first guide piece on the surface of the base. The first and second guide pieces extend substantially perpendicularly from the surface of the base. With this configuration, a paper towel sheet from a paper towel roll is receivable between the first and second guide pieces.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, the base further includes a post extending perpendicularly from the first surface to receive the paper towel roll. A cap pie&e can also be provided on the post.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, the surface area of the second guide piece is about 10% to about 80% of the surface area of the first guide piece. In another embodiment, the surface area of the second guide piece is about 30% to about 50% of the surface area of the first guide piece.

[0008] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the second guide piece is spaced radially inward from the first guide piece by a distance of from about {fraction (1/16)} inch to about 1 inch. In another embodiment, the second guide piece is spaced radially inward from the first guide piece by a distance of from about ⅛ inch to about ½ inch.

[0009] According alternative embodiments of the present invention, the paper towel roll can be held upright structure or the paper towel holder can be mounted in a non-upright manner.

[0010] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paper towel holder according to an embodiment of the present invention showing a paper towel roll mounted in the paper towel holder.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a front view of a paper towel holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a paper towel holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a front view of a paper towel holder according to an embodiment of the present invention showing alternative inner pieces.

[0015]FIGS. 5A-5C show front views of alternative shapes for the inner and outer pieces of a paper towel holder according to alternative embodiments of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 6 shows a top view of a side mounted paper towel holder according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 7A shows a side view of a paper towel holder according to one embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 7B shows a side view of a paper towel holder according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention are described further below with reference to the drawings.

[0020]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a paper towel holder 100 in an upright position when holding a paper towel roll 150. The paper towel holder 100 includes a base 102 having a top surface 101 and a bottom surface 103.

[0021] Attached to the base 102 are a first (or outer) guide piece 104 and a second (or inner) guide piece 106. In this embodiment, the second guide piece 106 is spaced behind the first guide piece 104 to allow a paper towel sheet from the paper towel roll 150 to be guided between pieces 104 and 106. According to a preferred embodiment, the first guide piece 104 has a larger perimeter (and corresponding surface area) than that of second guide piece 106. In addition, the front edge 105 of guide piece 104 provides a tear point for a paper towel to be removed from paper towel roll 150. The second guide piece 106 further provides a holding mechanism for the next paper towel, thus keeping the next paper towel in a ready position 155 after tearing. Of course, the paper towel may be mounted to base 102 such that the paper towels can be removed from either the right or left of guide pieces 104, 106.

[0022] Base 102 and guide pieces 104 and 106 can be constructed of any conventional material, such as plastic, metal, wood, and ceramic. For example, base 102 and guide pieces 104 and 106 can be constructed of stainless steel. Optionally, base 102 can further include a bottom surface 103 that provides suitable friction with a table or countertop when configured as an upright paper towel holder. For example, surface 103 can include a tacky coating. Alternatively, base surface 103 can be provided with rubber tabs or feet to reduce sliding of the base when tearing a paper towel from the paper towel roll.

[0023] In addition, guide pieces 104, 106 can be mounted to base 102 in a conventional manner. For example, base 102 can include indented portions in top surface 101 (not shown) into which guides 104 and 106 can be friction fit, bolted, or adhered to base 102, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given the present description.

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, paper towel holder 100 can include base 102, first guide piece 104, second guide piece 106, and a post 108, shaped to receive the paper towel roll. For example, the outer diameter of post 108 can be configured to be slightly less than the inner diameter of the cardboard tube which supports a conventional paper towel roll. Post 108 can be constructed of a conventional material such as wood, metal, plastic, or ceramic, and can be friction fit, bolted, or adhered to base 102, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given the present description. As is also shown in FIG. 2, the paper towel holder 100 can further include a cap 110, mounted on top of post 108.

[0025] As shown schematically in FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment, the length (i.e., the height when upright) of guide piece 104 is the same as or less than the length (i.e., height) of inner guide piece 106, which are both less than the length of the post 108. For example, post 108 can have a length of about 7 inches to 14 inches. Preferably, post 108 is from about 10 inches to about 13 inches in length to receive a conventional paper towel roll, which is about 11 inches to about 12 inches in length. Alternatively, the length of guide piece 104 can be greater than the length of inner guide piece 106, depending on the application. Outer guide piece 104 can have a length of about 3 inches to about 10 inches. Preferably, outer guide piece 104 has a length of about one half the length, or slightly greater, of the length of the paper towel roll. Inner guide piece 106 can have a length 3 inches to about 10½ inches. Preferably, inner guide piece 106 has a length slightly longer than that of outer guide piece 104, as is shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 also schematically shows lengths and widths for alternative inner guide pieces 106 a and 106 b, in relation to the lengths of outer guide piece 104 and post 108.

[0026] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, inner guide piece 106 can have a smaller width than the width for the outer guide piece 104. In this regard, in a preferred embodiment, the outer guide piece has a greater perimeter (and corresponding surface area) than inner guide piece 106. In one embodiment, the inner guide piece 106 has a surface area that is about 10% to about 80% of the surface area of the outer guide piece 104. Preferably, the inner guide piece 106 has a surface area that is about 30% to about 50% of the surface area of the outer guide piece 104. With this difference in surface areas, the ready position for the next paper towel can be more consistently achieved. In addition, the inner guide piece provides for smooth guidance of the paper towel, from either direction.

[0027]FIG. 3 shows a top view of the paper towel holder 100. Outer guide piece 104 is preferably disposed near or on an outer peripheral portion of the top surface of base 102. Also, preferably, as is seen from FIG. 3, the lateral shape of the outer guide piece 104 can closely follow the curvature of the base 102, which is preferably circular. The width of outer piece 104 (along the top surface of base 102) can be about 2 inches to about 7 inches, e.g., for a base 102 having a diameter of about 7½ inches. Preferably, the width of the outer guide piece 104 is about 4 inches to about 5 inches. In addition, outer guide piece 104 can have a rigid edge 105 which provides the tear point for a paper towel inserted between the guide pieces along direction 112 that is to be removed from the paper towel roll.

[0028] As is also shown in FIG. 3, inner guide piece 106 can have a similar curvature as does outer guide piece 104. In accordance with the preferred embodiments described above, inner guide piece 106 can have a width (along the top surface of base 102) that is less than the width of the outer guide piece, for example, from about 1 inch to about 5 inches. In this manner, the inner guide piece can have a reduced surface area as compared to the outer guide piece 104. Also, because the outer guide piece can be wider than the inner guide piece, the paper towel will be less likely to unthread itself from between guides 104 and 106. The depth (i.e., thickness) of both the inner and outer pieces can be kept at a sufficient value (e.g., from about 0.3 mm to about 1.0 mm) to provide for thin guide pieces, while still providing sufficient structural strength and ease of threading.

[0029] In addition, inner guide piece 106 is disposed radially inward (towards the center of base 102) from outer guide piece 106 along the top surface of base 102. According to one embodiment, the inner guide piece 106 is spaced from outer guide piece 104 by a distance (d) 120, which can be from about {fraction (1/16)} inch to about 1 inch. Preferably, the spacing distance (d) 120 is from about ⅛ inch to about ½ inch. The spacing of the inner and outer guide pieces on the top surface of the base allows for the ready position for the next paper towel to be more consistently achieved, as the guide pieces are spaced far enough apart to allow for easy threading of the paper towel between the guides, but close enough to provide enough friction to keep the next paper towel in the ready position. As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the lengths, widths, and depths of the inner and outer guide pieces can be varied in accordance with the teachings and principles described herein.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 7A, outer guide piece 104 and inner guide piece 106 a can extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly (allowing for some deviation from an exact right angle) from the top surface 101 of the base 102. In this preferred embodiment, the spacing between the outer guide piece 104 and the inner guide piece 106 a can be kept at nearly the same distance along the lengths of the guide pieces. In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 7B, the inner guide piece 106 b can be configured to extend substantially perpendicularly from the top surface 101 of the base 102. However, the inner guide piece 106 b can also be bent radially outward at some position along its length, towards the top of the outer guide piece 104, such that there can be contact of the two guide pieces at their top portions, while a spacing distance is maintained at the lower portions of the guide pieces. In a further alternative (not shown), the inner guide piece can extend from the base at a slight angle toward the outer guide piece such that there can be contact of the two guide pieces at their top portions. In these alternative embodiments, the contact of the two guide pieces at their top portions allows for additional holding of a paper towel in a ready position.

[0031] As described above, base 102 further includes a post 108, such as is described in regards to FIG. 2. In a further alternative embodiment, base 102 can be configured as a cap piece to fit over a second base (not shown) which includes a post 108. In this alternative embodiment, the post 108 can be coupled to base 102 via, e.g., a snug fit in receiving indentation 109 in base 102, or by other conventional connection techniques. According to a further variation, a first base can include the outer guide piece and a second base can include the inner guide piece, so that when the bases are attached via a post, the radial spacing distance between the inner and outer guides is consistent with spacing distances described above.

[0032]FIGS. 5A-5C show further alternative shapes for the inner and outer guide pieces. For example, in FIG. 5A, outer guide piece 104 has a “fin” shape. In addition, outer guide piece 104 has a cutout region 115 which allows for a user to view the paper towel disposed between the inner and outer guide pieces. In this configuration, an edge 116 of the inner guide piece corresponds to a same lateral position (but still spaced inwardly from) an edge 105 of the outer guide piece. In FIG. 5B, a top portion 117 of inner guide 106 extends above the height of outer guide piece 104, and an edge 116 of the inner guide piece corresponds to a same lateral position (but still spaced inwardly from) an edge 105 of the outer guide piece. In FIG. 5B, outer guide piece 104 includes a cutout portion 115. In FIG. 5C, a top portion 117 of inner guide 106 extends above the height of outer guide piece 104, and an edge 116 of the inner guide piece extends to a further lateral position (but still spaced inwardly from) an edge 105 of the outer guide piece. In FIG. 5C, outer guide piece 104 includes a cutout portion 115.

[0033] According to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, a paper towel holder 200 can be mounted in a non-upright position, in this example, horizontally. In this alternative embodiment, paper towel holder 200 includes a first support (or base) 202 and a second support (or base 203). The paper towel roll 250 is held between bases 202 and 203 via roll holders 208 a and 208 b which are configured to fit inside the ends of the tube supporting the paper towel roll. In this configuration, base 202 includes outer guide piece 204 and inner guide piece 206. These guide pieces can be formed or shaped in accordance with the embodiments described above. In addition, paper towel holder 200 further includes a mount 232 to support bases 202 and 203. Further, paper towel holder 200 can further include a hinge mechanism 234, which allows base 203 to swing in the direction of arrow 236 for the easy replacement of paper towel roll 250. Mount 232 can be coupled to surface 230 (e.g., a wall, or cabinet door, or bottom of a cabinet) via a conventional connection mechanism, such as by bolting or adhering mount 232 to surface 230. As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, paper towel holder 200 and its mounting to surface 230 can be varied in accordance with the teachings and principles described herein.

[0034] In accordance with the description above, the paper towel holder according to embodiments of the present invention can simply and conveniently provide for the holding of paper towels in a manner that allows each paper towel to be placed in a consistent ready position after removal of the previous paper towel, and regardless of the size of the paper towel. The paper towel holder also provides a convenient tear point for each subsequent paper towel, reducing the problem of having to feel for the next paper towel, especially when the user has wet hands and can thereby ruin additional paper towels. In addition, the paper towel holder provides for convenient one hand tearing and threading from either direction.

[0035] Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in the art would appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modifications within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, all modifications attainable by one versed in the art from the present disclosure within the scope of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is to be defined a set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A paper towel holder apparatus, comprising: a base; a first guide piece disposed on the base, said first guide piece extending substantially perpendicularly from a surface of the base; and a second guide piece disposed radially inward from the first guide piece on the surface of the base, said second guide piece extending substantially perpendicularly from the first surface, wherein a paper towel sheet from a paper towel roll is receivable between the first and second guide pieces.
 2. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a post extending substantially perpendicularly from the surface of the base, wherein a paper towel roll is receivable on the post.
 3. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a cap piece mountable on the post.
 4. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a length of the post is about 7 inches to about 14 inches.
 5. The paper towel holder according to claim 1, wherein the second guide piece has a greater length than the first guide piece.
 6. The paper towel holder according to claim 1, wherein a length of the first guide piece is about 3 inches to about 10 inches, and wherein a length of the second guide piece is about 3 inches to about 10½ inches.
 7. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first guide piece has a width of from about 2 inches to about 7 inches at the first surface, wherein the second guide piece has a width of from about 1 inch to about 5 inches at the first surface, and wherein a distance between the first and second guide pieces at the first surface of the base is from about {fraction (1/16)} inches to about 1 inch.
 8. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the distance between the first and second guide pieces at the first surface of the base is from about ⅛ inches to about ½ inches.
 9. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface area of the second guide piece is from about 10% to about 80% of the surface area of the first guide piece.
 10. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the surface area of the second guide piece is from about 30% to about 50% of the surface area of the first guide piece.
 11. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the first guide piece is disposed along an outer edge of the surface of the base.
 12. The paper towel holder according to claim 11, wherein the first guide piece and the second guide piece are curved in a lateral direction to correspond to the curvature of the base.
 13. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first guide piece has a cut out portion.
 14. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a mounting structure connected to the base to support the base and mountable to a non-horizontal surface.
 15. The paper towel holder according to claim 1, wherein the first guide piece includes a rigid edge surface to provide a tear point for a paper towel guided between the first and second guide pieces.
 16. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the base further includes a second surface adapted to rest on a horizontal surface, wherein the paper towel roll is held upright.
 17. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a support piece; and a post mounted to the support piece, wherein the base further includes a receiving portion to receive the post.
 18. The paper towel holder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of the first guide piece changes along a length of the first guide piece.
 19. The paper towel holder according to claim 1, wherein the second guide piece bends toward the first guide piece. 